Motorcyclist hit, flown after Welsh Road accident

HATFIELD TWP. - A motorcyclist suffered severe injuries and was flown by medical helicopter after colliding with a pickup truck on Welsh Road Friday night. The accident took place around 6:20 p.m. while the motorcyclist, described by police as an adult male, was heading west on Welsh Road toward Forty Foot Road as a Dodge pickup was heading east toward Lansdale. Police said the motorcyclist and truck collided as the truck made a left turn from Welsh Road into the driveway of the Ralph's Corner shopping center. Police were still investigating the accident on Friday night. The motorcycle suffered heavy front-end damage and debris including a front head lamp was scattered across the driveway entrance. For nearly an hour after the accident, police spray-painted circles around the motorcyclists's belongings, including a backpack containing a skateboard, clothing, shoes and sunglasses, where they came to rest across the driveway entrance. A motorcyclist's helmet came to rest in the driveway with the visor detached, which was and found in nearby grass; police said they were still investigating whether the motorcyclist was wearing the helmet at the time of the accident. The motorcyclist was treated at the scene by Volunteer Medical Service Corps paramedics, who transported him in an ambulance to a medical helicopter who flew him to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Police said the motorcyclist was conscious and alert when flown, but the extent of his injuries was unknown, and included possible broken legs and other upper and lower body injuries. Another motorcyclist, who declined to be identified, stopped at the scene out of concern for the hurt biker and to tell police he and other bikers have had close calls making left turns at that particular intersection. 'Left turns are where they kill us. It's so dangerous, drivers don't even see us (on motorcycles). You have to be so careful all the time,' that biker said. The driver of the pickup truck was unhurt, and the truck and debris were cleared from the intersection by roughly 7:45 p.m. Follow staff writer Dan Sokil on Twitter @DanSokil. For breaking news SMS alerts from The Reporter, text LANNEWS to 22700 from your mobile phone. Msg & data rates may apply. For help, text HELP. To cancel, text STOP. Privacy policy - journalregister.com/privacy.